Our Man in Brazil: Messi fans make a song and dance

IT IS a song that is making its rounds in Brazil. You can hear it being sung by Argentina fans everywhere Lionel Messi and Co play.

But while its tune may be catchy, with fans merrily swinging scarves and jerseys, the lyrics of the ditty have been incurring the wrath of Brazilian fans.

The song pokes fun at Brazil's 0-1 loss to Argentina in the second round of the 1990 World Cup, the last time both teams met in the Finals.

It also adds that Messi will win the World Cup and that Maradona is greater than Pele.

More than 100,000 Argentinians, including these on the metro in Sao Paulo, have invaded Brazil to follow their country in the World Cup. But their sheer numbers have led to reports of run-ins with security officials while the ditty they sing that mocks Brazil has also tested patience and goodwill. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

The song has been widely reported in the Brazilian press and its rise to prominence comes at a time when more than 100,000 Argentinians are in Brazil to support La Albiceleste in their bid for World Cup glory.

The sheer number of Argentinians has seen cases of reported violence in Belo Horizonte, where fans clashed with security forces, causing damage to parts of the city.

The song, which has become the unofficial anthem of Argentina's 2014 campaign, was thought of by fans and sung to the tune of a famous Boca Juniors' fans favourite.

La Albiceleste fan Sebastian Luna, 24, said the song first caught on when a group of Argentinian fans sang it during a Fifa Fan Fest screening at Copacabana beach last month.

Said Luna, who was among the thousands at the Arena de Sao Paulo belting out the number during Argentina's 1-0 second-round win over Switzerland on Tuesday: "After that, it went viral on social media. Fans began sharing the lyrics and now everyone knows it."

Then, he added with a laugh: "It's a clever song, we just make sure we don't sing it alone."

Brazil fan Rodrigo Azevedo, 36, does not think the song makes any sense.

He said: "It's typical of them (Argentina fans). They always make a big deal about everything when this is really no comparison.

"They have Maradona and Messi. We have Pele, Romario, Garrincha, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Neymar.

"They have two World Cups, we have five. There is no fight."

The Argentina-Brazil rivalry dates back to the 1920s, first on an economic level as Argentina prospered and left its neighbour in its wake, then in football, especially with the emergence of the "Pele v Maradona: Who is greater" debate.

In 95 matches, Argentina hold the edge, with 36 wins over Brazil's 35.

There have been 24 draws.

Yet, amazingly, the two have met only thrice in the World Cup Finals, with the last in 1990.

There are no prizes for guessing who each set of fans want to see and beat in the final come July 13 in Rio de Janeiro.